There’s nothing more Australian than cooking a meal outside – just ask Paul Hogan! With the summer weather upon us, you can expect weekends to be scented with grilling meat and delicious barbecued vegetables. Want to join the fun? Here are the latest and greatest barbecues on sale today. There’s one to suit every size and budget, so read on!
First, ask yourself the following questions.
What sort of space do you have?
The nature of your outdoor space will be a determining factor in the type of BBQ that you choose. People with small gardens or just a balcony will have different needs from those with a sprawling back yard. If you’re in a bushfire zone, there are additional considerations to be had around safety and access.
How often will you use it?
BBQs can range from $6 for a disposable charcoal grill to tens of thousands for a fully equipped outdoor kitchen. If you are only going to use a BBQ a few times year, then a fully tricked out outdoor kitchen may not be a sensible investment. For more serious entertainers, it might be the best investment you’ve made in years.
How many people will you be cooking for?
BBQs come in all different sizes. Large BBQs use more fuel, so have a think about how big it really needs to be.
If you’re regularly catering for a family of four plus the occasional big party, a six-burner is just right. Go smaller or larger depending on your needs.
Once you’ve got an idea of what you need, have a look at what’s out there. There are endless options to choose from. Here’s how it breaks down:
Portable BBQs
Portable BBQs are compact, simple and budget-friendly. They are perfect to take to the park, on camping trips or holidays at the shack. If you only have a small space like a balcony or small courtyard and will mainly be cooking for a small crowd, this is a great option. Ranging from disposable charcoal-fired aluminium tray grills to gas or electric two-burner freestanding options, the modern portable BBQ can do almost anything.
Check out the super practical and stylish little Ziggy from Zeigler & Brown.
Freestanding BBQs
Found in millions of backyards across the country, the freestanding model is undoubtedly the most popular type of BBQ in Australia. Usually powered by a gas bottle, they can have anywhere between two and six burners. They have a hood for roasting and come in a convenient cart with side tables and hooks for hanging utensils. Suitable for large and small gatherings alike these BBQs can handle a Sunday roast with all the trimming or cook a few snags for the kids.
Many a yarn has been had while cooking up a truckload of snags on a freestanding BBQ. Check out the ever-popular Premium Beefmaster 4 burner.
Outdoor Kitchens
Outdoor kitchens are becoming increasingly popular in newly built homes and outdoor entertaining renovation projects. They create a whole extra outdoor room for entertaining, so if you’re serious about your parties, give them a second look. They’re also great in summer, allowing you to cook outside to keep heat out of the house.
At a base level they include fully integrated cooking plumbed into mains gas, a sink and often a fridge. Some outdoor kitchens also include features like built-in pizza ovens, food preparation areas and wine storage. They are fantastic by the pool or as part of a deluxe outdoor entertaining area. Outdoor kitchens can be custom designed and built or created using a modular approach – whatever you need!
For outdoor kitchen inspiration, check out Barbeques Galore.
Something a little different
If you really want to impress your friends with your outdoor culinary skills, you may like to consider a smoker. Smokers use lump charcoal, a clean fuel, to provide heat and smoke to cook meat, fish and vegetables and the resulting flavour is simply amazing. They are the perfect tool for smoking your own Christmas ham, and the taste is infinitely better than store-bought.
Check out Komado Joe to find out more about smoker cooking.
Still not sure? Have a chat with the staff at your local BBQ or outdoor living store. They will be able to help you choose the right size and type of BBQ for your lifestyle.